Master Replica Lightsabers
Review
by : Terry
McCammon
I'm not
a collector by any means, unless you count anime... and pop-up
books. I cant lie and say I don't have some toys... okay I
have all the Jedi/Sith figures (well almost all)... ALRIGHT,
I built my own lightsaber. And I haunt the Master Replica
website.
If you
don't know Master Replica and you like star wars, you might
be living in a hole. They are the officially approved replica
makers of all things star wars (and star trek now). They started
with lightsabers (hilts only), moved through Han's blaster,
and continued to have their line grow. Their replicas are
quality, and I mean that with all intent of a person that
hates to part with his money over brick-a-brak. Chrome, metal,
rubber, sound effects. Check out their website to see past
and current items: Http://www.masterreplica.com.
Now, the
one thing I will say is that these replicas aren't cheap,
but when I saw the FX line for the first time, I almost exploded
with joy (and only a few have truly experienced that*wink
to Troy* "who loves you baby?"). This line takes the normal
lightsaber hilt, and combines it with a glowing rod and digitally
recorded sound from the movies to give you the ultimate in
theatrical props. Their first was from E1, you know who's,
and with it an announcement that they would be releasing two
more soon. There were delays naturally, but in November of
2003 M.R. released a Luke Skywalker and a Darth Vader FX version.
Darth Vader, I had to have it. I have Prowse and Jones autographs.
I have the Playskool D. V.. I have umpteen million figures...Legos...
all D.V. I drooled, and dug deep.
Let me
tell you D.V.'s FX lightsaber doesn't disappoint. This replica
is every bit the detailed replica of the movie (slightly larger
to accommodate the electronics involved). Approved by the
fine folks from Lucas, the hilt is solid, chrome, plastic,
and rubber. The switch to turn it on is very small and almost
hidden. If you know the movies, you know the sound it makes
when it comes on, because the sounds are identical to the
movie. It swishes, and it hisses when it hits something. Now
Ive heard the one major complaint about the first generation
(Anakin's FX Saber) is that they were flimsy and Im going
to say that in doing this generation, it certainly isn't.
My reason is that I have to hit mine with a substantial amount
of force against an object to get it respond. Granted, this
doesn't mean you could go all out gun-ho dueling with it,
but Im sure there are morons out there that would want to
swing it as hard as they could. Think of it as a theatrical
piece, for planned dueling and display, not for your crazy
friend that wants to swing a sword at you and reenact E5 duel.
The light
it gives off is bright, visible in my house standing under
a 4x100watt light, or in daylight, etc, but of course the
real effect is night or dark (duh). Its blade extends from
the handle as a white tube, somewhat like neon tubing, but
much more durable AND is the exact length of D.V.'s blade.
Because of the technology (which is beyond my comprehension
how they can make a sheet that glows, but the website explains
in further detail) it glows that wonderful red. I get a warm
fuzzy just writing that. The greatest thing is shutting it
off, watching it retract while it makes the shut down. I should
say the light retracts (no you cannot remove the tube from
the hilt. The sensors wont allow that. Sensors... wont allow...
haha...*cough* Right!) Of course, the battery life is depended
on the batteries you buy, but I'd estimate between 10-12 hours
of constant use before they need replaced. The blade itself
is estimated to last (light) for at least 3 years of constant
use. Again... display piece more than usage piece.
In shipping
M.R. includes a display stand which is a three piece molded
plastic, but it looks nice and I have no complaints about
it. Shipping was a breeze and so was dealing with the company
(I went direct through Master Replica, but I love Amazon.com,
which also carries it, so I know it will be as easy a deal).
The folks at Master Replica were nice, and being the paranoid
person I am, I ended up not only ordering online, but calling
their 800 number and speaking to a rep. She had to have the
sweetest voice, the most patient soul, and the wisest... well
actually she was probably sitting at a computer, but she was
on the ball, and I felt really at ease ordering. If I hadn't
been married and my wife weren't standing there shaking her
head, I probably would have hit on that poor woman more than
I did.
Definately
a quality item, currently priced at around $100, worth picking
up fast. If your significant other mentions the cost for such
a thing, simply say, its a quality replica, at a 1/3 the price
of all others, and its approved by Lucas himself. Let's see
Thomas Kinkade or Longaberger do that for its clientele. I
cant discuss Luke's saber, but I'm sure it is just as good
as his father's.
Terry is our old-school brother from back in the day. Check
the Bento Box for more of his reviews.
|
